Alison Odey

Varicose veins can cause a dull, achy heaviness in the legs often with accompanying nagging pains and cramps. Often the veins are swollen, bluish and itchy. If left untreated they can cause deep vain blood clots and a slow breaking down of the skins surface, resulting in the long term in leg ulcers.

To ease varicose veins:
-Firstly, ensure that there is adequate fibre in your diet and that you are not suffering from constipation, as a congested bowel can put pressure on the femoral vein (in the thigh) and cause sluggish venous return from the legs – especially the left.
– Increase exercise, especially walking, gentle jogging, swimming or bike riding as the contraction of the leg muscles pushes pooled blood back into circulation.
– Reduce weight if necessary.
– Avoid standing for long periods.
– Avoid sitting with the legs crossed.
-Try elevating the legs when resting or sitting.
– In some cases the use of support stockings can be beneficial.
– Increase dietary intake of proanthocyanadins, Bioflavonoids and Rutin (blueberries,
cherries etc) or take a proanthocyanidin supplement, such a grapeseed extract to help keep veins elastic.
See page on Antioxidants.

– Other supplements that help strengthen the blood vessel walls are zinc and vitamin C.
See page on ‘Zinc’.

-Take herbal remedies such as Horse chestnut and Butcher’s broom.
– Take Quercetin, an extremely effective anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Some brands combine Horse chestnut with Quercetin, which together give wonderful results.
See the on-line shop for Quercetin
Use the ‘Contact us’ page if you need to order Horse chestnut.

– Also ensure that you do not have sluggish circulation.
Herbs such as garlic, onion, ginger and cayenne will help improve circulation.
Flaxseed oil and fish oils will also be beneficial as they help the flow of the blood and help prevent it clotting abnormally. Eat more oily fish such as salmon, sardines and herrings.